HONG KONG

Population: 7,374,900 (2017)

GDP per capita: HK$455,000 (2016)

Language: Chinese and English are official languages. Cantonese is the most widely spoken dialect and English is widely spoken in commercial circles. Written language uses full form characters (Traditional Chinese).

Total land area: 1,104 km2

Government: Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China on 1 July 1997 and is governed according to the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” which was laid down in the “Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong” in 1984. In 1990 the “Basic Law”, Hong Kong’s constitutional document, was adopted, with the following main principles: Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy and enjoys executive, legislative and independent judicial power, Hong Kong people shall rule Hong Kong and the previous capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged until 2047. The current laws in force shall be maintained and the Central People’s Government is only responsible for defence and foreign affairs. Hong Kong people enjoy inter alia freedom of speech, the press, publication, association, demonstration and strike. A Chief Executive who is advised by an appointed Executive Council leads the Hong Kong SAR. The Legislature is partly directly elected, partly indirectly elected and partly nominated.

Entry requirements: Norwegian citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 3 months, but employment and study are prohibited. In order to take up employment in Hong Kong an employment visa or an investment visa is required. Visa applications may be submitted at the Chinese Embassy in Oslo or by mail directly to the Immigration Department in Hong Kong or through a sponsor in Hong Kong. The processing time is normally 4-6 weeks. A Travel Pass Pilot Scheme has been introduced to facilitate entry for frequent travellers. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may accompany the visa holder and they are free to take up employment or education in Hong Kong. One is normally not allowed to obtain an employment visa while staying in Hong Kong as a visitor. Anyone staying in Hong Kong for more than 3 months must have a Hong Kong identity card.

Time zone: +7 GMT

National day: 1 October

Currency: Hong Kong dollar (HKD), linked to the US dollar at a ratio of 1 USD = HKD 7.8